Are Springtails Dangerous?

Have you ever heard of a springtail? If not, that is okay and you are probably not alone. The springtail is a house invading pest that many homeowners aren’t as familiar with as say the house mouse or the carpenter ant. But, just because they aren’t well-known doesn’t mean that they aren’t a force to be reckoned with. Springtails are not a dangerous species of insect to have in your home; they aren’t going to bite you, feed on your blood, sting you, or cause structural damage. But, they are going to invade your home in very large numbers and become a huge nuisance for you to deal with. The professionals at Aiken Pest Control know that you most likely already have a full-plate to contend with and that the last thing that you want to deal with is a large scale springtail infestation, because of this we are going to offer you some helpful information so that you win not just a battle, but the entire war against springtails!

Let’s begin winning the war against springtails by first learning a bit more about what they look like. The best way to describe a springtail is small, very small! Adult springtails only grow to between 1/32 and 1/8 of an inch in length. They have a soft body that can be various colors including brown, gray, blue, purple, and black. Their most unique feature is their furcular, a tail-like appendage that is found underneath of their abdomen which allows them to jump astonishing heights.

Next, we need to talk about prevention, but because springtails are so tiny in size, it means that preventing an infestation can be tricky, but not impossible! The best way to deter moisture-seeking springtails from being attracted to your property and finding their way into your home is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your home. Outside your home make sure that there is a stone or rock barrier between any soil, grass, or mulch and your foundation. Remove any compost or piles of organic debris that are located close to your home. Trim back landscaping and bushes away from the exterior of your home. It is also important to repair any leaky hoses or outdoor faucets. Inside your home, place cardboard boxes and other paper items up off of the ground, especially in damp areas like basements. To help reduce moisture levels inside of your home, place dehumidifiers in basements and make sure that attics and crawl spaces are well-ventilated. Inspect the exterior of your home sealing any cracks found in the foundation and make sure that any spaces found around exterior doors are caulked and that door sweeps are installed on exterior doors.

Finally, to truly win the war against springtails you need to partner with the pest control experts at Aiken Pest Control. Our quarterly, customized home pest control programs can provide you with the services needed to stop springtails before they have the chance to become an annoyance inside your home. Let our trained, educated, and dedicated professionals provide you with the continuous services needed to protect your home from being invaded springtails and other common household pests. Win the war against pests with the help of Aiken Pest Control!

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